The San Jacinto Valley provided many opportunities for its residents to celebrate the birth of our nationâs independence on July 4. While fireworks in the sky were more prevalent than candles on a birthday cake, the revelers still had a great time.

The action started the night before as the Soboba Casino presented its annual free concert and fireworks show at its outdoor events arena. Country music superstar John Michael Montgomery, who once played the Ramona Bowl in Hemet, put on an electrifying show.

The only reason an enthusiastic audience of about 6,000 people accepted the end of a rousing concert was that it signaled the start of 20-plus minutes of show-stopping pyrotechnics that could be seen â" and heard â" for miles around.

âWe are very proud to be able to share this event with the community,â said Michael Castello, assistant general manager for Soboba Casino.

Getting up early the next day was a necessity for those who planned to secure a prime spot along San Jacinto Avenue to watch the city of San Jacintoâs 4th of July parade making its way from the San Jacinto Unified School District offices to Valley-Wide Regional Park on Esplanade Avenue.

At about 9 p.m. a huge fireworks show lit up the sky above the park where hundreds had gathered for picnics, music, barbecues and all-day family fun after the parade.

âA special thank you goes out to all the staff and volunteers that made the parade a success,â said assistant city manager Mike Emberton. âWe couldnât have done it without them.â

The hour-long event, emceed by DJ Russ Utz, a community fixture, had about 70 entries but most had multiple vehicles and participants.

This yearâs theme was celebrating the cityâs 125th birthday, and community members who have very long roots in this town served as grand marshals. The Wards and Schoutens were among those that were applauded for their many years of contributions to the community in the fields of education and farming.

âI would like to thank all the founding families of the valley,â said Emberton. âTheir smiles really lit up the parade route.â

Five different car clubs drove together as part of the Inland Empire Low Riders and received a first place finish in the Motorized division. Second place went to CR&R for its miniature replica of the refuse trucks that are so familiar in our valley.

The top Group award was earned by VFW Harbour-Record Post 2266. Members of the post rode on a flatbed truck behind a vintage jeep with a hitched trailer carrying soldiers Dylan Hicks, Chris Speir and David Zaverukha â" all former San Jacinto High School students.

Second place Group went to the Human Relations Council of Greater Hemet, San Jacinto and Menifee Regions, who wowed spectators with a demonstration from the Sikh martial arts group: California Gatka Dal.

Honorable Mentions went to Philip Terrier for his golf cart fire truck and the San Jacinto Assembly of God Stomp Group.

âWe certainly had some outstanding floats and it was readily apparent that the community loves to celebrate our nationâs birthday,â said Emberton.

The city council plans to recognize the paradeâs award winners at its next meeting on July 16 at 7 p.m. at the City of San Jacinto Community Center, 625 S. Pico Ave. The public is welcome to attend and show their support to all the participants.

Diane A. Rhodes is a Press-Enterprise correspondent. Reach her at dianealease@hotmail.com.

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